Oral Answers to Questions

Cat Smith Excerpts

Tuesday 18th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Andrew Snowden (Fylde) (Con)]

10. Whether he is taking steps to maintain the role of nuclear energy within his energy security strategy.

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

13. What steps he is taking to support the nuclear power sector.

[Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)]

17. What steps he is taking to support the nuclear power sector.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sarah Jones]

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and, indeed, the Minister for nuclear in the other place have visited the hon. Gentleman’s constituency and seen the good work that is happening there, and just shy of £20 million from Government grants has gone into that work to help develop nuclear fuels, which will be part of the future. The big nuclear developments at Sizewell and Hinkley, SMRs and advanced modular reactors all need to be in the mix, and he is absolutely right to make that point.

[Cat Smith]

Many of my constituents were pleased to see the extension of Heysham 1 and 2 late last year, and they would like long-term jobs for the future in the nuclear industry created in the north-west. Does the Minister agree that it is thanks to this Labour Government that we are ending the last Government’s legacy of no new nuclear being built?

[Sarah Jones]

I completely agree. The Conservative party built no new nuclear in 14 years. Small modular reactors will bring energy efficiency and economic growth to many parts of this country. We are working at pace and will make sure that we have the answer on SMRs shortly. We will have the answer on Sizewell in the spending review, and of course nuclear will play a big role in the future.